Merry Christmas!

 It’s hard to believe another year has gone by. It seems like just yesterday we were rushing to get the card done and get an update on the blog. Yet, here we are, doing those very things once again. Only this time, a slew of things have happened since the last time we did this.

 I (Analaya) made a big change this year by moving to Saint Paul, MN. I was up for some new adventures and where better to do that than in a big city full of opportunities!

Gretchen, of course, got married this year to the love of her life, Ryan. She and Ryan are thoroughly enjoying married life and keeping quite busy. Gretchen is in her last year of nursing school and doing extremely well.

Britton is coaching basketball as if he were getting paid. The time and attention he puts into it is quite impressive. This summer he took a road trip with a map, a van, a brother, a couple friends, and plenty of electronics! 

                         (Apparently they even had a printer they hooked up and used!)

Leif started a new job working at a lumber company. He has quickly become popular amongst his coworkers. Maybe that’s because he bakes goodies to share in the break room? He enjoyed his first mission trip this summer to Brazil and Paraguay with Britton and Dad. He loved it so much he hopes to go back one day for even longer. 

Sigre passed the ol’ permit test (prompting Mom to order “Student Driver” stickers to plaster all over our van). She also got her very own cell phone this year. Nothing says you’re in the throes of your teenage years like a cell phone and a permit!

Emma started Faith On Fire (our church drama team) this year. She also jumped at the chance to go to Six Flags Great America theme park in IL this summer with a few siblings and friends. 

                         (The FOF kids on their way into a mall in costume on tour!)

Zofeyah. Our 2012 bread winner. Zof shot her first deer, her first day out in the woods ever. After she pulled the trigger Dad said, “Do you think you got it?” Zofie responded with, “Oh, I know I got it.” And she did! A double lung, heart shot! Thanks to Zofeyah we’ve been enjoying some mighty fine venison.

 Berit had a blast with the family at Faith Haven Bible Camp this year. She enjoyed kayaking with her siblings so much that it prompted Dad to buy several kayaks for our pond! 

                    (Obviously Leif didn't get the memo that the kayaks are for the pond, not our pool!)

Anders is following in his buddy Britton’s shoes with his love of basketball and sports. This year he struck gold.  He went to his first Timberwolves, Vikings, and Twins games. What more could an 8 year old boy ask for?! 

Finn would write a novel at age 5 if he could. That boy wants to write so badly. And to be honest, we want him to as well. We’re all getting sick of him constantly asking us to write different things down for him. He, too, is following in his buddy Leif’s footsteps by most likely starting school a year early. He’s faithfully done school daily, but we’ll see if it lasts the whole school year. I guess we’ll let you know in our next Christmas update whether or not Kindergarten was completed for Finn this year! 

And last, but in no way least, Bronwyn. “Baby B” who now prefers to be called “Big Girl B.” There’s nothing baby about her. She just turned 4 in December, but I’m convinced she thinks she’s 14. She loves hanging out with her siblings, especially her teenage (and above) siblings, and holds her own just fine no matter how silly or sarcastic we are with her. We added a kitty to the family this year that Bronwyn is in love with. She watches out for the cat and carries it around often. 

Then there’s Mom and Dad, who are the same awesome loving couple as always. Dad is still taking missions trips with us kids and loves pastoring our church. Dad had the opportunity to go to Eugene, OR to officiate a wedding and had a blast; he even got to see whales! He also started what we call “Family Discussion” (because that’s exactly what it is) in the evenings at supper time. The questions range from “What is your favorite cartoon?” to “If you could be a professional at anything in the world what would it be?” to “If you could be one relative for the day who would it be and why?” The questions and answers tend to be quite entertaining and sometimes insightful. Mom is still rocking the whole motherhood thing, which is good since it will be another 14 years until Bronwyn is 18. Mom apparently isn’t sick of homeschooling either because she agreed to teach a writing class this year for our church’s homeschool co-op. And I must also add that my mother has become quite efficient at texting these days since she has five kids and a husband who frequently enjoy texting her. All I can say is, thank goodness for unlimited texting and for healthy relationships because of great (and constant) communication in this family! 

And there you have it. Life for the Unverzagts’ in 2012 from my perspective! In case you’re interested in further tidbits, I’ve include below some “Favorites” about the Unverzagts!

                          

                                         MERRY CHRISTMAS
         "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." 

                                                       Luke 2:14

Favorite Bible Character:

Analaya: Ruth--because she was faithful, loyal, had a good reputation, and loved God.

Gretchen: Daniel--because of his strong faith at so young and trusting in God completely.

    (Ryan: Boaz--he’s a redeemer-type character; an example of a good man.)

Britton: David--because he was a warrior for God even when it wasn’t easy.

Leif: Joseph--because of all he went through and still was faithful.

Sigre: “Jesus. But beside Him I’d say Esther because she stood up for what’s right.”

Emma: Solomon--because he was so wise.

Zof: “Besides Jesus...Abraham and the Proverbs 31 woman, because they’re awesome.”

Berit: Moses--because so many exciting things happened to him.

Anders: Sampson--because it’s a fun story.

Finn: “Jesus. And Noah because he built an ark and had lots of animals.”

Bronwyn: Jesus, Jonah, and the big fish.

Dad: Apostle Paul-- because he really likes his heart

Mom: Abigail--she was wise, quick-thinking, beautiful, and a loyal wife.

Favorite Family Christmas Tradition:

Analaya: Making rice pudding and lefse with the family while listening to Christmas music.

Gretch: Cutting down a tree and decorating while listening to Michael W. Smith Christmas!

    (Ryan: I have yet to experience an Unverzagt Christmas. I’ll keep you posted!)

Britton: Our yearly family Christmas trip instead of gifts.

Leif: Drinking eggnog by the light of our tree the first night after decorating. 

Sig: Reading the Christmas story book that opens into a star and gets hung above the tree!

Em: That we open presents earlier than everyone else (on little Christmas Eve, the 23^rd )!

Zof: When we sing Christmas songs and do tons of goodie baking. And the Christmas Star.

Berit: Our family Christmas trip.

Anders: Our seafood Christmas dinner!

Finn: Cutting down our own Christmas tree and the sleigh/hay ride.

Bronwyn: Drinking eggnog by the tree lights.

Dad: Our seafood meal (a tradition that originated during internship in WA)

Mom: Bringing goodies and Christmas cards to all our neighbors.

Favorite Unverzagt Meal:

Analaya: creamy onion soup or homemade burritos

Gretchen: tenderloin (venison or pork)

   (Ryan: pepperoni bow tie pasta)

Britton: orange chicken. (a widely popular birthday meal choice)

Leif: spinach alfredo lasagna

Sigre: Tater Tot hotdish

Emma: manicotti

Zofie: penne chicken pasta (also loves sushi and shrimp)

Berit: potato soup (also loves strawberries)

Anders: homemade pizza (also loves shrimp)

Finn: homemade pizza

Bronwyn: Rice-A-Roni

Dad: ribeye steak! But since we never make that, crockpot corn chowder

Mom: Italian chicken corn chowder

(You can find these recipes and others on our Recipes link.)

The Wedding

They were right.  The day goes by like a blur.  There were people at my house I never even saw.  People I barely got to talk to.  It was a whirlwind of white lights, iced coffee, pearl necklaces, and very special people.  Now it's over.  The dust has settled.  July 21st seems like a dream, a wonderful dream.  No more painting, cleaning, planning.  "Do we say we have 12 people in our family now or 14?"  asks one of the children.  We have fourteen.  We have gained a son.  And we are VERY blessed.